200 



MANAGEMENT AND J3KEEDING OF HORSES 



that the strains of North German and Flanders blood 

 were so strongly represented in our English horses of the 

 best stamp that we need not inquire whether this horse 

 was of German, Flemish or English origin, the character 

 of all being practically the same. From this it would 

 seem that the early Shire was of very mixed breeding. 



In the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547) special atten- 

 tion was directed to the breeding of strong horses. Laws 

 were enacted to promote increased size and strength, 



FIG. 106.— SHIRE STALLION "BLETCHLEY ROYAL DUKE" 



and mares " and stallions were only allowed to breed 

 under certain restrictions. At the time this was thought 

 necessary because of the heavy armor used by man and 

 horse. It is stated that man's armor weighed approx- 

 imately 100 pounds, the horse's 80 pounds and the spear 

 20 pounds, totaling 200 pounds, approximately. Adding 

 to this the weight of a man, the war horse was obliged to 

 support nearly 400 pounds. 



